Frontline employees, including teachers, refuse collectors and carers, formed a picket line outside the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, this morning (Wednesday).

Around 1,000 staff are striking today and tomorrow in response to a Government pay increase offer of 2.45 per cent.

Unison regional organiser Stuart Barber said: "Most of the workers are women and because of that we're expecting one of the biggest turn outs in terms of strike action for a long time in Hillingdon.

"I think it's going to be good in terms of affect. There's hardly anyone going in there."

Seventy-five per cent of employees working in local government are women with 60 per cent earning £15,000 or less.

A council worker who cares for the elderly said: "We've all got mortgages to pay. They've taken everything away from us but their expectations are far more than they used to be. I don't think they listen. We're just the little ants on the floor - they're grinding us down."

Harlington depot refuse collectors formed a picket line from 5am this morning

Strikers were also being offered a free breakfast at Granny Satchwell's, in the Arcade, in High Street, to keep up spirits.